PHYS 1112 - Introductory Physics II
Lesson 15 - Alternating-Current Circuits

Study Assignment:

Study: Chapter 24, Sections 24.1 - 24.5

Lesson notes:

To this point in the course, we have dealt only with direct current circuits. In every day experience, alternating current circuits are encountered more frequently. In this lesson we will examine circuits composed of the same circuit elements we discussed when we examined direct current circuits: resistors, inductors and capacitors. The voltage source, however, will be a generator providing a sinusoidally varying voltage.

Objectives:

1. Understand the concepts of rms voltage and rms current.

2. Be able to describe the relationship between current and voltage in a purely resistive ac circuit.

3. Be able to describe the relationship between current and voltage in a purely inductive ac circuit

4. Be able to describe the relationship between current and voltage in a purely capacitive ac circuit.

5. Understand and be able to apply the concepts of inductive and capacitive reactance.

6. Understand and be able to apply the concept of impedance in an RLC series ac circuit.

Vocabulary:

frequency
amplitude and phase
phasor diagrams
RLC circuits

Homework:

TP: 24-42, 24-46, 24-51, 24-72

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Last update: August 07, 2007